Martin Lewis left ‘shaking’ after show as he’s unable to help widowed mum afford energy bill: ‘Intervention is needed’

Martin Lewis has said he was left ‘shaking’ after his latest show, in which he was unable to help a single mum who lost her partner during the pandemic afford her energy bill.

As the country faces an energy bill crisis, single mum Sara appeared on The Martin Lewis Money Show to ask his advice.

She said: ‘It’s been a tough year having lost my husband to Covid last January and I’m continuing to battle my own serious long-term health issues as well.

‘I’m a single parent and really worrying about the rising energy bills.’

She asked if she should be locking into a fix after moving energy companies, with Martin, who has been very vocal about the issue, saying: ‘Sara, first of all, I’m very sorry to hear about your loss.

‘I think that’s why this energy issue – we’ve done it a number of times in the series – is so important because the prospective price rise is going to be very difficult. I’m not sure how much hope I can give you but I can explain what the situation is.’

He went on to dedicate the show’s ‘big briefing’ to the issue.

However, tweeting after the episode, Martin wrote: ‘I feel near tears after doing my show. I started doing what I do out of a passion for financial justice & providing solutions. To be unable to help a single mum who lost her partner in covid afford her energy bills leaves me feeling impotent. I’m shaking Intervention is needed.’

He added: ‘A few ‘ur rich, pay her bloody energy bill’ replies. This isn’t about 1 person, it’s a totem for millions who’ll be in fuel poverty. Instead I try to give answers, lobby for change, & put my money where my mouth is this way…’ before sharing a link to a blog post about his charity donations.

Many people empathised with Sara, with one of Martin’s followers writing: ‘People are already rationing their energy, many won’t be having much heating this winter. It’s simply terrifying how quickly the energy prices are rising.’

Another said: ‘My bills were £70 at the beginning of 2021. I got a bill in December for £307.. I’m on my own with a 4 year old. We’ve started wearing more clothes instead of putting the heating on. I’ve never felt the pinch like this before & I’m genuinely concerned about the next few months.’

One more said: ‘Thanks to covid I lost my business last year as did my husband. I have two kids and I am £2000 in debt with my energy bills because I choose to put my kids in clothes and food on the table. Every night I wonder if we will wake up without electricity and gas.’

The price cap is set to be increased on April 1 with energy prices expected to rise.

Ministers have concluded ‘something needs to be done’ but it’s not yet clear what form this will take.

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It is expected that the government will announce what measures will come into place to on or before February 7, when Ofgem is due to announce the scale of the hike in the price cap.

The Martin Lewis Money Show airs Thursdays at 8:30pm on ITV.

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